Dear John,

$17.5 billion. 

That’s Minnesota’s projected budget surplus for the next two years. In this week’s Digest, we feature news, organizing, and policy fights that invite us to really confront the idea that budgets are moral documents. 

We want to see Minnesota spend every penny: our people and communities need visionary investment. Let us know: where do you want Minnesota’s money to go?

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week:

1. "I have paid sick time, and so should you."

Duluth leader Sabrina Blodgette writes on the importance of paid sick time in the Minnesota Reformer, “Duluth is a chosen-home for my partner and me. We got priced out of our homes in Washington state and came to Minnesota to build a better life for ourselves and our cats… It took us six months to decide where to go, because as a person with a chronic illness, I needed paid sick time.”

Make sure your Senator has heard from you about passing paid sick and safe time!

2. Native people will not be silenced

Red Lake Band member and Little Earth resident Nicole Perez in the Star Tribune: “Last week, members of the Little Earth Defenders and the American Indian Movement began a ceremonial occupation of the Roof Depot site in East Phillips, where Minneapolis wants to build a new Public Works building. I was there at dawn, with my daughter and granddaughter. And I was there that night, when police surrounded us to evict our peaceful camp and try to silence the voices of Indigenous people.

I'm not a protester, and I've never done anything like this before. I'm just a grandmother who believes our children deserve a healthy environment.”

3. ACT UP

A powerful tribute to Mary and Nancy, partners and lifelong organizers for people with HIV/AIDS. They both died this month, just hours apart. 

4. Minnesota Miracle 2.0

Thousands of Minnesotans have high deductible health plans they cannot afford to use. A quarter of Minnesotans surveyed reported delaying care due to cost. Minnesotans of color are twice as likely to be uninsured and to be in medical debt collections. Jennifer Schultz writes about the possibility for fair health care with the MinnesotaCare public option, in the Minnesota Reformer.

5. Insulin price cap

Drugmaker Eli Lilly set a price cap of $35, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act and tireless organizing by patient advocates like Minnesota’s own Nicole Smith-Holt, whose son Alec died due to insulin rationing.

6. People > Pharma

In the Star Tribune, Rep. Zack Stephenson and Senator Dr. Kelly Morrison write about how much the pharmaceutical industry spends to oppose their proposed Prescription Drug Affordability Board. (Spoiler alert: it’s a lot.)

7. Tax the rich

ProPublica reports on how the wealthy avoid paying billions of dollars (*billions* !!!) in taxes.

8. "Whose backs was it earned on?"

In this week’s Minnesota budget briefing, Representative Aisha Gomez reminded everyone of the billions of dollars the wealthy have gained even during just the last few years of the pandemic. 

9. Hammer & Hope

It’s a beautiful new online magazine of Black politics and culture, edited by professor Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor and former NYTimes editor Jen Parker.

10. Baby Yoda is back

You know this Star Wars fan (Katie!) is excited for the new season of The Mandalorian. I’m not sure any Star Wars will ever surpass last year’s amazing TV show, Andor. But The Mandalorian does have Grogu!

And that’s a wrap!

Send us what you’re reading, watching, and listening to.

Until next time,

Katie Blanchard (she/her)
Basebuilding Director

Jessica Zimmerman (she/her)
Development Director